Fresh, fun and friendly

Businesses joined farmer’s market on Wednesday nights in downtown Coeur d’Alene

COEUR d’ALENE — JB Houlihan knew the best way to explain why his kettle corn was so popular Wednesday.

“Try this,” he said, offering a free sample. “This will tell you why people come and see me.”

The Kellogg man was busy at the Kootenai County Farmers Market in downtown Coeur d’Alene, with customers lining up for his $5 bags of different flavors like caramel, cinnamon maple, and sweet and spicy.

He’s been coming to the market for years, serving regulars, selling O’houli’s Kettle Corn like his father before him.

“It’s just an amazing market,” he said.

On a warm, sunny evening, hundreds of people walked up and down Fifth Street, between Front and Lakeside, and even a little beyond, checking out the offerings as music filled the air.

Fruit, breads, farm fresh milk and eggs, raw honey, plants, flowers, handmade rings and wooden flags and more were in the mix. New this year, a “downtown market” was added, with nearly 10 businesses setting up booths, too, and showcasing merchandise.

The annual event started two weeks ago, missed last week due to the downtown protests and armed people there protecting storefronts, and is back each Wednesday, 4 to 7 p.m., through the summer.

Things were far more peaceful and relaxed.

Marilyn Shay bought a slice of Veraci’s mushroom pizza for $5 as she and husband Bob wandered about.

It was Bob who insisted they go.

“I never want to miss it,” he said.

Marilyn agreed.

“It’s a great way to bring the community together and help the local businesses,” she said. “It gives them another outlet besides their stores.”

Sales were solid for Rustic Glory Flags made by Leah Loffer.

The Hayden woman started making unique flags from pine about five years ago when she didn’t know what to get her brother for Christmas.

“It’s just rollercoastered from there,” she said.

Her red, white and blue creations — one in the shape of the state of Idaho and another in the shape of the United States — were attracting a lot of attention, especially the ones with raised stars.

“Everybody likes it,” she said.

Some of her work paid tribute to the military.

“I have to have all the military branches,” Loffer said. “There’s a lot of retired Marines here.”

She loves coming to the farmers market.

“Everybody is so friendly,” she said.

Graham Silcher was selling Ridge Line Rings, which he began making a few years ago as a Mother’s Day gift.

“I didn’t know what to do so I made one of these for her and it took off from there,” he said.

Silcher, who lives in Spokane, said his bentwood rings are strong and durable. He makes them by hand from strips of wood and shapes them at home and can fill custom orders.

“People get to come to me with their ideas and we get to work together,” he said.

It’s his second year at the farmers market on Wednesday nights in Coeur d’Alene.

“It’s great to be back,” he said.

Matt and Sarah Zastrow were selling Meadow Wood Flowers at Fifth and Sherman. They operate a flower farm in Hayden and sold out on Saturday at the Hayden market.

They enjoyed chatting with customers, laughing and smiling as they greeted people who handed over $15 for a colorful bouquet.

“It’s been awesome,” Sarah said.

Leah Joy and daughter Julia strolled around, with Julia eying the kettle corn and eventually getting some, courtesy of JB Houlihan.

They live nearby and walk to the market each week.

“It’s literally my favorite thing to do in the summer,” Leah Joy said.